Home is where the heart is for Kolasinac

Serbia's very own Asmir Kolasinac will be aiming for another medal at the European Athletics Indoor Championships from 3-5 March.

Shot put star and 2013 gold medallist Asmir Kolasinac cannot wait to step into the Kombank Arena in Belgrade for the start of the European Athletics Indoor Championships.

“I competed in many countries,” he says. “But the feeling is the best in Serbia. In March I am throwing for my country and for you all.”

The Championships start a fortnight on Friday and Kolasinac will first appear at 11:00 on the Saturday morning of 4 March for qualifying, with the final at 19:20 that evening.

His every move will be cheered by the home crowd because the expectation will be high on the 32-year-old making the podium again at a championships where he has really excelled over the past four years.

In Gothenburg in 2013 came the greatest moment of his career when his fourth round effort of 20.62m brought glory before two years ago in Prague, he produced a last round 20.90m to move from fifth position to win silver behind Germany's David Storl (21.23m).

The pair will face each once again in what should be a captivating competition.

At the start of this month in Belgrade, Kolasinac became national champion with 20.63m and history shows how much he thrives when competing in Serbia because in 2015 he achieved both his indoor and outdoor personal bests in the country.

In the winter, he reached 20.91m in Novi Sad and in the summer, he took his outdoor mark to 21.58m in Belgrade.

No wonder he is counting down the days to the start of these home championships.